Established in 1985 as a small two man operation owned and operated by brothers Manny and George Hernandez Solo Printing has grown into one of the nation’s largest minority owned printing companies. Housed in a state of the art 100,000 square foot facility Solo employs over 100 well trained and dedicated employees.
In addition to providing superior color lithography Solo offers a total marketing solution for many of the nation’s marquis companies n the fields of retail, publishing, travel and direct mail. Utilizing both web and sheet fed presses combined with the latest equipment throughout the production process Solo exceeds the expectations of the most discerning
Solo Printing offers a full array of traditional print, binding, direct mail and fulfillment services along with many unique services such as spot gloss or dull UV, glitter and textured UV to highlight just a few.
When thinking of quality, versatility and economy think Solo
Jorge & Manny Hernandez
THE WORLD is full of people who grouse about the company they work for, bemoaning the manner in which operations are conducted, and placated by the notion that if they were in charge, things would be done differently. That way, things would be done the right way.
The world contains more grousers than entrepreneurs. And that’s simply because few people have the gumption, the nerve, the chutzpah, to step out from their comfort zone and take a chance in life. It’s much easier to gripe and a lot safer than to stick your neck out.
Manny and Jorge Hernandez, who began their respective careers working for other printing companies, could have chosen the grouser tact. But these brothers didn’t just want to be in charge. They had a vision of what they considered the ideal printing company, and now they can stake claim to being co-owners of one of South Florida’s finest.
“Why work for somebody else?” Manny Hernandez philosophizes. “We said to ourselves, let’s just go ahead and do it. We saw what was being done wrong at other print shops, and we didn’t want to make those same mistakes with our company. We were both very young, so we put our energy and our own way of thinking into the business.”
Their own way of thinking forged the identity of Solo Printing, which is celebrating its 26th anniversary this year. In that short span of time, the company has grown to over a $35 million annual performer with 100 plus employees, providing web and sheetfed offset printing for retail, travel and communications customers. The Miami-based business also provides testing materials for the education sector.
Andy Sanchez
Title: Vice President National Sales
Background / Experience: With degrees in business and engineering, Andy is well equipped dealing in the world of production and marketing. In 1989 Andy came to what was then a small letter shop and helped to make it into one of the nation’s fastest growing premier companies. With a vision and alongside co-owners Manny and Jorge Hernandez, Andy was instrumental in developing new lines of business and cementing partnerships that have passed the test of time. When not addressing customers needs Andy can be found on the golf course (with clients of course) or alongside his wife attending their two gifted daughter’s national dance competitions.
Robert Hernandez
Title: Senior Account Executive
Background / Experience: With over 14 years of print and sales experience Robert was literally born into the world of web and sheet fed printing. As a teenager Robbie began working summers and after school for his uncles Manny and Jorge (Solo’s co-owners). While doing any and all things around the shop he was learning everything required in becoming a seasoned professional. His dedication to quality and for his customer’s satisfaction has made Robert a valued member to our Solo team. Although Robert is never without his blackberry, when time permits, he can be found fishing with his wife and 2 kids in the Florida Keys. (Disclaimer: although Robert claims to be an avid fisherman, as an impartial observer, I have yet to see any fish he claims to have caught)
John O’Neil
Title: Account Executive
Background / Experience: John is the newest member of our team and has been in the printing industry since 1978 with print, estimating, and sales experience.
As the son of a Detroit printer he experienced the excitement of printed brochures when his father would show him the new car model sheets each year.
John has an affinity for the Caribbean, the sub-tropics, and Britain, developing a broad spectrum of clients from Florida to Trinidad – Bermuda to London.
John gets close to his clients and their culture and dedicates himself to their needs and expectations.
You can reach John 24/7 on his Blackberry but these days you may find him volunteering with Adopt-a-Greyhound racing dog rescue groups, and in his past as a volunteer firefighter (he says he could still fight fires but we’re not so sure).
Jorge Hernandez Jr.
Title: Vice President Operations
Background / Experience: Driven to excel can best describe Jorge Jr. in all his endeavors. While working full time in the estimating department at Solo, Jorge somehow found the time to earn his accounting degree at Florida International University. A tireless professional, Jorge has steadily advanced through the ranks to become Solo’s Vice President of Operations. Needless to say, his dedication and attention to detail has made him an integral part to our continued success. Although his responsibilities leaves little free time, that which remains are spent with his wife, young son and his boxer Max.
Eric Hernandez
Title: Account Executive
Background / Experience: The youngest member of our executive team, it has been said that “Eric was born with ink in his veins”. As one of co-founder George Hernandez’s two sons, Eric grew up at Solo. From the age of twelve, Eric could be found at the shop talking with staff members and learning the ends and outs of the business. Now as our “in-house expert” on government printing contracts (GPO) his total understanding of the process has become invaluable. When not negotiating government contracts and overseeing projects, Eric directs his energies to extreme paintball in which he is a member of a semi-professional team.
Michele Santos
Title: Account Executive
Background / Experience: Michele is one of our newest team members and brings with her over 13 years experience in the printing industry.
As a graduate of Nova Southeastern University, her Insurance Law career took a dramatic turn when having lunch with a good friend who introduced her to the ever-so-changing world of Printing. Since that day, Michele successfully transitioned into the printing field, specializing in Publications and Catalogs. She believes in continual education of her craft so that she can help her customers make the best decision for their business. In that process, many of her customers have also become her friends!
While Michele’s career keeps her very busy, she always makes room for her most important role: Motherhood! Her kids LOVE sports so when she is not cheering for her son at his baseball games, she is rooting for her daughter on the soccer field. She is not quite sure where her kids get their competitiveness from, but I think we have a pretty good idea!
Arnie Ackerman
Title: Account Executive
Background / Experience: With decades of hands-on experience in every facet of the printing industry, Arnie is adept at translating cutting edge design into effective marketing tools. Whether it involves sheet or web fed printing or the most innovative finishing and binding techniques, Arnie knows how to get the job done right. That puts Arnie in a unique position to partner with clients in developing creative and effective solutions to tough printing challenges. And he loves doing it!
Arnie’s other love is fishing. An active licensed captain, he knows the Everglades back country as well as he knows the printing business. Doing both successfully keeps life exciting.
Herman Rea
Title: Vice President Manufacturing
Background / Experience: As a young man Herman worked his way through the ranks. From roll man, 2nd pressman, pressman, press supervisor, plant manager and now with over 30 years experience, our Vice President of Manufacturing. During these years Herman has seen everything there is to see in the world printing. From electronic prepress through the latest in print technology Herman has acquired an encyclopedic knowledge combined with hands on experience. His dedication to excellence and unfailing commitment in surpassing customer’s expectation makes Herman a key ingredient to our continued success. Although Herman is always available when the inevitable problem arises he still finds time to spend at his grandkids baseball practice or watching his favorite team the Marlins. (Disclaimer: Yankees fans should read no further. This is for you Herman. Go Marlins!)
Pat Vernon
Title: Account Executive
Background / Experience: As a graduate from Furman University with a BA in business administration and 14 years of sales experience with International Paper and Domtar, Pat is the latest addition to the Solo team. In two short years Pat has made his mark by introducing the array of Solo services to some of the nation’s premier Fortune 500 Companies. His breadth of knowledge regarding the various paper types and their uses has made him an invaluable resource to Solo and his clients. Marked by dedication and perseverance Pat has quickly become one our most productive account executive. Pat lives with his wife and two children in Orlando Florida. His free time is spent at home participating in activities with friends and family. In addition to being an extremely good tennis player, Pat claims to be an exceptional cook. (Note: As someone that has played tennis with Pat I can attest to his abilities on the court. His cooking skills remain a mystery?)
Lorenzo Cosio Jr.
Title: Account Executive
Background / Experience: With over twenty years in the printing industry, Lorenzo has established himself as a motivated and industrious professional. Lorenzo’s passion for excellence and reputation for getting the job done has created satisfied and loyal clients.
In Lorenzo’s leisure time, he can be found cheering on his two daughters at their numerous dance recitals and competitions. This devoted “Dance Dad” is also an avid fisherman who is quite a successful angler. So, whether in a press room, an auditorium, or on the high seas, Lorenzo is a dedicated individual who takes pride in his work, family and the “one that almost got away”.
